Abstract: The multichannel data transfer apparatus is connected to a transmission line in which a plurality of connected nodes have their respective transmission channels and transmit compressed data in a predetermined present embodiment in accordance with bandwidths assigned to the respective channels, and the multichannel data transfer apparatus includes a calculating device that, when there is a request to change the number of transmission channels used to transmit compressed data in the transmission period, calculates a data compression rate and a transmission bandwidth for each of the transmission channels to be used in transmitting the compressed data to the transmission line when the number of the transmission channels is actually changed, and a notifying device that notifies each transmission channel of at least one of the calculated transmission bandwidth and transmission compression rate.

Abstract: A method of delivering a variable bit rate (VBR) media stream in near real time includes identifying a selected media asset to be streamed to a media receiver, receiving an available access bandwidth at which the media receiver can receive data, and initiating a session setup for delivery of the selected media asset. The method further includes calculating a delay in decoding a media stream associated with the selected media asset at the media receiver based on the available access bandwidth, and a calculated required minimum transmission rate of a VBR media stream representative of the selected media asset. The method further includes transmitting the selected media asset at the required minimum transmission rate of the VBR media stream and providing the calculated delay to the media receiver such that the media receiver begins decoding the media stream in accordance with the calculated delay.

Abstract: A technique for managing the distribution of digital video content to multiple end-user devices is disclosed. The technique involves statistically multiplexing multiple VBR encoded video streams into an access channel, such as a data over cable service interface specifications (DOCSIS) bonded group, and utilizing quality of service capabilities of an edge device, such as a cable modem termination system (CMTS) or an edge quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) device, to buffer and schedule IP packets, which carry the VBR encoded video streams, so that packets are not dropped during periods of congestion. Utilizing the quality of service capabilities of an edge device makes it possible to statistically multiplex VBR encoded video streams in a narrowcast application such as Video on Demand (VOD) or Switched Digital Video (SDV) while eliminating the need for process intensive transrating/transcoding operations.

Abstract: The present invention controls delivery of television content to conserve network resources based on whether the television content is being viewed on a television monitor. A television gateway may monitor a viewer's interactions with the television gateway to determine whether the television content is being viewed at the associated television monitor, or detect whether the television monitor is on or off. Upon determining that the viewer is not viewing the television content, various actions can be taken to conserve network resources.

Abstract: Media content, based on a predetermined set of constraints, from a content provider is delivered to a local cache of a user device before viewing the media. A client asset manager process resides in the user device, an asset list at the content provider site, and the media assets are located at a remote site.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining and selecting digital coding and/or decoding technology, delivery bitrates, and resolution parameters for programming and data delivery over, e.g., a content-based network. In one embodiment, the network comprises an HFC cable or satellite network that includes a server process interfacing with a plurality of customer premises equipment (CPE), and/or associated client devices, each having different display resolution, bitrate, and/or decoding capabilities profiles. The server determines the one or more capabilities possessed by the CPE or client device, and evaluates one or more program or content choices for possible delivery to that CPE or device based on its profile. The selection process may also take into consideration network and/or CPE operational considerations, such as conservation of downstream bandwidth, CPE uprating capability, client device power consumption, and the like.

Abstract: A network system includes a connectivity services network (CSN), a plurality of access service network gateways, a plurality of base stations, an orchestration device, executing a lifecycle quality-of-experience model for video-on-demand flows, receiving content from the CSN, and a plurality of subscriber stations in communication with the orchestration device through a base station and/or gateway, wherein the orchestration device continuously tracks past service and usage for each of the subscriber stations and predicts future channel conditions and load to determine, periodically or when triggered by critical events, many-to-one assignments from subscriber stations to base stations and allocation of base station resources to subscriber stations assigned to it.

Abstract: At a user equipment a conditional bandwidth renegotiation method is provided for managing bandwidth renegotiations when the user equipment is engaged in an IPTV session with an IPTV network and a channel switch has been requested. When it is determined that the requested channel requires less bandwidth than the presently selected channel, a conditional bandwidth re-negotiation process is initiated wherein, upon having switched to the requested channel, a timer is started. If, a timeout of the pending timer is recognized prior to another channel switch request, a band-width re-negotiation procedure is initiated, while no bandwidth re-negotiation is to be executed if another channel switch request is recognized prior to timeout of the pending timer.

Abstract: A method for providing a user of a target device with placeshifted content. The method includes detecting, utilizing the target device, a matrix code associated with an audio/visual program. Data encoded in the matrix code includes program identifying information and elapsed time information with respect to the program. The method further includes generating, utilizing the target device, a request for the program based at least in part on the encoded data. The method also includes transmitting, utilizing the target device, the program request across a network.

Abstract: A communication apparatus for receiving video data transmitted by streaming from a transmission apparatus via a transmission path includes a video data reception unit configured to receive the video data, a reception data monitoring unit configured to monitor a processing status of the video data received by the video data reception unit, and a control request transmission unit configured to transmit a playback control request for the video data to the transmission apparatus, wherein, when the video data is played back at a playback speed, if the reception data monitoring unit determines that the playback speed exceeds a transmission capacity of the transmission path or a processing capacity of the communication apparatus, the control request transmission unit transmits to the transmission apparatus a playback control request to request only intra-picture coded video data.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a bandwidth configuration for a plurality of customer premises connected to a video head-end office in an Internet Protocol television network is disclosed. The bandwidth configuration is received for each of the plurality of customer premises. The bandwidth configuration is stored for each of the plurality of customer premises in a memory of a first server. A data file is received from the video head-end office. The data file indicates that a set-top box device located at one of the customer premises has requested a video stream that would exceed a first number of video streams available to the one of the customer premises and that would exceed a first bandwidth currently available between the video head-end office and the one of the customer premises. The data file is stored in the memory of the first server.

Abstract: This method of transmitting coded data, representing a digital video, from a server to a plurality of clients, at least one subset of the clients using congestion control algorithms, uses a plurality of signals for passing from a coded representation of the video at a given quality level to a coded representation at least one quality level different from the given level. The sending (E618) of at least one of the passage signals at least to the subset of clients depends on information representing the behavior of the congestion control algorithms used by the subset of clients.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a system and method for adaptive video decoding. A method for adaptive video decoding includes determining whether a resource constrained mode is to be initiated, and responsive to a determination that the resource constrained mode is to be initiated, initiating the resource constrained mode, including foregoing the decoding of portions of received video input. For example, adaptive video decoding may include foregoing the decompression and reconstruction of selected video frames during intervals of high demand for memory and/or bus bandwidth resources.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for recovery and/or utilization of bandwidth within a network. In one embodiment, the network comprises a switched architecture (e.g., broadcast switched) content-delivery network such as a cable television network. Reclamation, overflow, and/or triage logical processes are selectively applied in order to more efficiently manage bandwidth utilization within the network while maintaining user experience, and optionally achieve one or more business and/or operational goals.

Abstract: A bandwidth management system, receiver, and method of managing bandwidth in a content delivery system are described. In one embodiment, the method includes: identifying two or more content items which are associated with at least some common content and which are temporally related; determining a relative priority of the least some of the identified content items; and allowing a receiver requesting the content associated with a lower priority content item to access a multicast associated with a higher priority content item.

Abstract: In a content supply system 100, in order to use a streaming server 102 to perform a live distribution, a user PC 106 used makes a reservation for a time zone, etc. to a server reservation control center 101. When the user PC 106 sends desired reservation information to the server reservation control center 101 via the Internet 103, if the reservation is accepted, a reservation ID only used for authentication of the reservation is created and sent from the server reservation control center 101 to the user PC 106 via the Internet 103. When a distribution request is sent from the user PC 106 to the streaming server 102, authentication processing using this reservation ID is performed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed invention include a system and method for recording television content in the event of a power loss. For example, in one embodiment, an optical network terminal associated with providing video service to the digital video recorder is utilized to backup and store a scheduled television program that occurs during the duration of a power outage affecting the digital video recorder.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for distributing a content stream from a headend to a subscriber terminal is described. In one example, the content stream is processed at the headend to generate a sequence of instances having successively staggered reference frames. A request for the content streams is received from the subscriber terminal at an initial time. In response to the request, an instance from the sequence of instances having the first reference frame after the initial time is selected. The selected instance is transmitted towards the subscriber terminal.

Abstract: A video on demand system has a video server (200) for outputting video streams requested by users, via a core network (620) and access networks (630, 640, 650). A resource manager (600) determines occupation information concerning how much of the previously allocated capacity is occupied by previously authorized video streams is determined before authorizing transmitting a new requested video stream. By checking there is sufficent core network capacity, a risk of disrupting existing video streams or causing other problems by overloading the allocated capacity, is reduced or avoided. Thus less capacity in the core network is needed, and so costs of such capacity can be reduced and there is increased confidence that demand peaks will be handled more gracefully. By checking without obtaining occupation information from the core network, the system can be more independent of the core network, to reduce costs of a real time interface to the core network.

Abstract: A method includes at a first customer premises equipment (CPE) device coupled to a multimedia distribution network, generating a first request for multimedia content. The method also includes sending the first request to a network node of the multimedia distribution network. The method further includes receiving the multimedia content from a virtual peer located at the network node and storing the multimedia content at the first CPE device. The method also includes receiving a message via the multimedia distribution network, the message indicating a transmission of a second request for the multimedia content by a second customer premises equipment (CPE) device. The method further includes transmitting at least a portion of the stored multimedia content to the second CPE device.

Abstract: A multimedia data streaming system and a method thereof transmit multimedia data to a receiver by a streaming server through a dynamic streaming process. The multimedia data streaming system includes a converting module and a scheduler module. The scheduler module is used to obtain the bandwidth condition between the streaming server and the receiver dynamically. The scheduler module can request the converting module to convert the original data into streaming pieces with the optimal bit rates in accordance with the bandwidth condition detected. The streaming pieces can be transmitted to the receiver by the streaming server.

Abstract: A method to provide a signal using a communication link. The method disposes a passive transponder on the communication link, where that passive transponder includes a memory. The method reads information relating to the communication link from the memory, and then, based upon that information, adjusts certain characteristics of a signal provided using the communication link.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aggregating the data for a plurality of individualized programs into a single channel, and allocating the channel bandwidth as-needed for provision of short video programs on an “on demand” basis, so that the total bandwidth required to provide the individualized channels and associated video clips is substantially reduced. Also provided is a real-time, single-user-targeted individualized advertising associated with the viewer selection that personalizes the user's iTV experience. The advertisements are targeted in real-time based on an immediate interest revealed by the user in a search request for content. Short duration videos are provided so as not to over-tax the individualized “on demand” channel's limited bandwidth.

Abstract: An interface for a multi-processor gateway apparatus and method for using the same. A user device communicates with a multi-processor gateway apparatus over a wired or wireless path. A first processor within the multi-processor gateway apparatus provides the user device a user interface. The user interface allows the user to select a function that is managed by one of the multiple processors. If the selected function is assigned to the first processor, the function is performed by the first. However, if the selected function is performed by one of the other processors, the first processor executes calls to an API layer associated with the processor assigned to perform the requested function. The requested function is performed by the processor to which it is assigned and the results reported to the first processor. The first processor then provides the results of the request to the user device via the path.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for optimizing quality of streaming data transmitted between a first node and a second node over a network, the streaming data including one or more frame groups is disclosed. A processor-readable medium having embodied therein processor readably instructions for implementing a method for optimizing quality of streaming data transmitted between a first node and a second node over a network is also disclosed.

Abstract: A wireless video uplink system comprises wireless access systems and a reservation system. The reservation system receives a video uplink request that indicates a user, a geographic location, and a time period. The reservation system processes the video uplink request to select one of the wireless access systems that serves the geographic location. The reservation system determines if the selected wireless access system has available video uplink capacity during the time period, and if so, the system directs the selected wireless access system to provide the wireless video uplink to a wireless video device associated with the user during the time period. The selected wireless access system wirelessly receives video data over the video uplink from the wireless video device during the time period. The selected wireless access system also inhibits another video uplink attempt from another wireless video device during the time period.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing the distribution of on-demand media in an interactive television application are provided. An interactive television application may receive a request for on-demand media from a user. The interactive television application may provide an option to the user for the transmission of the on-demand media. Such options may include, for example, an option to request a reduced-bandwidth version of the on-demand media, an option to schedule a future time for presentation of the on-demand media, an option to download the on-demand media to a recording device, and an option to check the availability of the on-demand media. A reduced price for transmission of the on-demand media may be provided to the user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a playback apparatus, a method, and a program which can appropriately perform jump playback when content transmitted through a network is played back in real time. A terminal 3 receives stream data transmitted from a server 1, buffers the stream data, and plays back the buffered data. The terminal 3 has multiple buffers to allow content data of the positions of jump destinations that can be specified as a jump destination during jump playback to be pre-buffered in the multiple buffers. As a result, upon receiving a request for jump playback, the terminal 3 can start playback from a jump destination without delay, since the data of the jump destination has already been buffered. The present invention is applied to, for example, television receivers.

Abstract: A content distribution system includes a distribution center, a processor, a switch, and first and second multiplexers. The distribution center receives and applies program content on program channels. The processor identifies subsets of the program channels in response to a respective score associated with the program channels. The switch couples the distribution center to the multiplexers. The switch applies program channels to respective inputs of the first and second multiplexers in response to the processor. A method for optimizing a multiplexed transport channel includes the steps of identifying a set of program channels designated for distribution via the multiplexed transport channel, arranging the set of program channels in subsets, the program channels within a subset grouped in accordance with a viewing score, multiplexing the program channels of the subsets to a respective transport channel and applying the respective transport channels to a distribution medium for delivery to the destination.

Abstract: Media content, based on a predetermined set of constraints, from a content provider is delivered to a local cache of a user device before viewing the media. A client asset manager process resides in the user device, an asset list at the content provider site, and the media assets are located at a remote site.

Abstract: A method for real time video transmission over networks with varying bandwidth is described. Image quality is maintained even under degrading network performance conditions through the use of image scaling in conjunction with block based motion compensated video coding (MPEG2/4, H.264, et. Al.). The ability to quickly switch resolutions without decreasing reference frame correlation is shown enabling a fast switch to reduce the required bandwidth for stable image quality.

Abstract: There is provided a distributed data storage system for splitting content-data into a plurality of split data and storing a plurality of copy data corresponding to at least one of the plurality of split data in a plurality of memory devices. The system comprises a copying management information storing unit and a access location determining unit. The copying management information storing unit stores copying management information indicating a storage location of the copy data corresponding to the split data. The access location determining unit determines at least one of the plurality of memory devices storing the copy data corresponding to the split data as an access location for accessing split data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for allocating radio resources to an elastic session in a cell in a CDMA network is presented. The method comprises allocating, to the elastic session, a radio resource share corresponding to a reduced transmission rate wherein the reduction in transmission rate corresponds to a peak transmission rate of the elastic session being slowed down by a first slowdown rate. The first slow down rate is determined in dependency of the transmission rate requirements of the ongoing sessions in the cell in a manner so that the radio resource share allocated is not lower than a radio resource share corresponding to the maximum transmission rate if a total amount of resources available for allocation to ongoing sessions in the cell is sufficient for all ongoing sessions to transmit at a respective peak transmission rate.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and machine readable media are disclosed for managing bandwidth utilization including off-peak, background delivery of content. According to one embodiment, a method of managing bandwidth used for delivering content to a plurality of users can comprise determining one or more destinations for the content and determining available bandwidth for delivering the content to the one or more destinations. A set of criteria can be applied to the content, the one or more destinations for the content, and the available bandwidth. A schedule for delivery of the content can be generated based on applying the set of criteria. The content can be delivered to the one or more destinations based on the schedule.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for playing a mobile video program buffers program content received in real time when there is a considerable movement state change. After the movement state becomes stable, playing will be resumed. While playing is resumed, the buffered contents can be firstly played, including the playing manners such as skipping, fast forward, etc, and then a program content received in real time will be played after all the buffered contents have been processed. According to the mobile video playing method, both the user's requirement for the continuity of a program content and the user's viewing effect will not be influenced by a fierce change of movement state of the mobile video apparatus.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a method of operating a video system. The method includes, in a video server, monitoring a geographic location of a wireless communication device, transferring reference frames of a video for delivery to the wireless communication device over a wireless communication system if the geographic location is within a group of predefined geographic areas and stopping the transfer of the reference frames if the geographic location is not within the group of predefined geographic areas. The method also includes, in the video server, transferring update frames of the video for delivery to the wireless communication device over the wireless communication system without regard to whether the geographic location is within the group of predefined geographic areas. The method also includes, in the wireless communication device, receiving the reference frames and the update frames of the video over the wireless communication system and displaying the video.

Abstract: A system includes a first device and a second device. The first device is configured to transmit a discover message on a first upstream channel, where the discover message includes information representing capabilities of the first device. The second device is configured to receive the discover message from the first device and determine whether to switch the first device to a second upstream channel based on the capabilities information in the discover message. The second device makes the determination before a registration of the first device. The second device transmits a message to the first device instructing the first device to switch to the second upstream channel based on a result of the determination.

Abstract: Apparatus for distributing streaming multimedia to at least one end client over a network includes memory and at least one processor operatively connected to the memory. The processor is operative: (i) to receive the streaming multimedia from at least one multimedia source via at least one of a plurality of channels in the network; (ii) when a channel change request generated by the end client for changing a channel and corresponding multimedia content from the multimedia source is not detected, to deliver the at least one multimedia stream to the end client at a first data rate; and (iii) when the channel change request has been detected, to deliver the at least one multimedia stream to the end client at a second rate for a prescribed period of time after receiving the channel change request and, after the prescribed period of time, to deliver the at least one multimedia stream to the end client at the first data rate, wherein the second data rate is greater than the first data rate.

Abstract: A method of transmitting a Video-on-Demand (VOD) program involves at a service provider head-end, separating VOD program data into first and second parts; transmitting the first part over a communication network to a recipient receiver for storage at a storage device as cached speculative data, where the transmitting is carried out as a data push when the communication network has available bandwidth to permit such transmitting and without regard for any order having been received for the VOD program to be sent to the receiver; receiving an order for the VOD program to be sent to the receiver; and streaming the second part to the receiver for reassembly into the VOD program at the receiver by combining the second part as it is streamed with the cached speculative data. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: Systems and method to compress digital video based on human factors expressed as a desirability score are provided. A particular method includes selecting a compression level based on the desirability score for the particular media content. A first compression level is selected when the desirability score is a first desirability score and a second compression level that is higher than the first compression level is selected when the desirability score is a second desirability score that is higher than the first desirability score. The method also includes providing the compression level to an encoder. The encoder compresses the media content based on the compression level.

Abstract: A facility for presenting an adaptive message is described. The facility receives a message in the computer system. Based upon the contents of the received message, the facility tests two or more digital content capabilities of the computer system. The facility then selects one of a number of different digital content elements based upon the results of the testing. The facility presents the selected digital content element.

Abstract: A system and method for presenting progressively downloaded media programs is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a Set-Top Box (STB) having a controller element to determine a length of a media program from a catalog of media programs and present according to said length a portion of the media program while it is being delivered to the STB by a media delivery system. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of delivering a video stream. The method operates by determining a group of video streams to be provided to a particular destination over a particular communication link. Next, the band width of the link is allocated to the video streams based upon the particular properties of the various video streams to be transmitted. The video streams are processed so that they fit into the band width allocations. Next, the video streams are transmitted in separate channels, synchronized with respect to each other, to reach the subject destination.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing video-on-demand loading include processing that begins by receiving a concurrent additional request for accessing a video program (i.e., while the server associated with the video program is processing one request for access to the video program another is received). The processing continues by providing the video program to a 2nd server in response to the concurrent additional request. The 2nd server causes the video program to be stored in the redundant array of independent disks (2nd RAID) associated with the 2nd server. The 2nd server processes the concurrent additional request via the 2nd RAID such that processing of multiple requests for the same video program is distributed throughout the video on demand system.

Abstract: An adaptive scheduling process is disclosed which dynamically decides which frames need to be transmitted and which ones need to be dropped at any transmission opportunity based on current channel conditions and on characteristics of each video frame.

Abstract: A datacast system, and associated apparatus and method for automatically managing a data object or objects within a hierarchical carousel structure by enabling, among other functions, the dynamic allocation of bandwidth to each carousel within the structure. The dynamic bandwidth allocation enables a server platform to redistribute the bandwidth allocated to a carousel or set of data objects to adjust to desired changes in object transmission policies or priorities of a datacast application.

Abstract: A method is provided for reclaiming bandwidth from an edge device. The method includes communicating a bandwidth query message to at least one session manager. The bandwidth query message specifies an amount of bandwidth that needs to be reclaimed from a single one of a plurality of edge devices in order to establish at least one additional session that delivers a digital service to a subscriber in a service group serviced by the plurality of edge devices over an access network. In response to communication of the bandwidth query message, a bandwidth query response message is received from the session manager identifying an edge device from which at least the specified amount of bandwidth can be reclaimed. A response is communicated to the session manager requesting the session manager to reclaim the specified amount of bandwidth from the edge device that has been identified.

Abstract: Channel changes between services with differing bandwidth in a switched digital video system. A services map published by the headend and distributed to all of the edge devices, allows a bandwidth requirement to be correlated with each request from a device in the home. The bandwidth requirement is passed upstream along with the request for service and is subject to a system resource management validation.

Abstract: A method for redirecting video content includes receiving a video signal at the set-top box and decoding the video signal to produce unrendered video data. The unrendered video data is encoded and provided to the remote device via a wide area network. By encoding unrendered, rather than rendered, video data for transmission to the remote device, the need for an encoding device external to the set-top box is obviated.

Abstract: A method of transmitting programs from a source of programs to a user location divides a program into a plurality of program streams, wherein each program stream represents a temporal segment of the program. The method adds identification data to the plurality of program streams and multiplexes the plurality of program streams comprising the identification data into a transport stream. The transport stream is transmitted to a user location. The program represented by the plurality of program streams is transmitted in a reduced amount of time. The amount of time decreases with the number of program streams used.